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Argentine to referee opening game
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-04 10:37

BERLIN - Horacio Elizondo will be the referee when host Germany plays Costa Rica in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup.

Argentine to referee opening game
Referee Horacio Elizondo of Argentina gestures during a soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in this April 16, 2006 file photo. Elizondo will be the referee in the opening match of the 2006 soccer World Cup between Germany and Costa Rica, FIFA announced Saturday, June 3, 2006.[AP]

The Argentine was picked to officiate Friday's match in Munich by the FIFA Referees Committee, which met Thursday.

The other 15 referees to work during the first set of games in the opening round were also selected.

Elizondo, a FIFA referee since 1994, officiated his first international match in 1996. The 42-year-old physical education teacher has also worked two Copa America tournaments, a Club World Championship, two World Youth Championships and one Olympic tournament.